Artificial respiration apparatus



' Dec. 4, 1956 T. c. HUxLEY nl ARTIFICIAL REsPIRA'rIoN APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 18, '1952 lNvI-:NTOR 7904145 C'. M/XLA'VN.

ATTORNEYS T. c. HUxLlz-:Y |1| 2,772,673

ARTIFICIAL RESPIRAToN APPARATUS Dec. 4, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 18, 1952" E /fa T igl 1 A i INVENTOR.

- 771044,45 c'. #0A/frm BY AAM .Du-ML iN-21j Qz-L ATTORNEYS Dec. 4, 1956 T. c. HUxLEY ul 2,772,573

ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION APPARATUS Filed-June 18, 1952 s sheets-shea 3 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS nited States Patent O ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION APPARATUS Thomas C. Huxley III, Manhasset, N. Y., assgnor to Conitech, Ltd., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application June 18, 1952, Serial No. 294,163

This invention relates to improvements in artificial respiration apparatus generally, and more particularly to improvements in artificial respiration apparatus adapted to fit over and enclose frontal portions of the patients body. v

One object of the present invention is the provision of improved sealing means for sealing the casing of respiration apparatus to frontal portions of the patient.

Another object of the present invention is the provision, in artificial respiration apparatus of the above character, of improved means for automatically adjusting the width of the casing to the patient.

Another object of the present invention is the provision, in artificial respiration apparatus of the above character, `of improved means for adjustably supporting the casing when fitted to the patient whereby to relieve the patient Aof the full weight of the apparatus.

Another object of the present invention is the provision, in artificial respiration apparatus of the above character, of a casing adapted to extend to the region of the patients ilium, said casing having a provision for the reception of the patients ilium when the casing is positioned on the patients body.

Another object of the present invention is the provision, in artificial respiration apparatus of the above character, of a casing adapted to extend to the patients thoracic region, said casing having a provision whereby the trach'eotomy area is uncovered when the apparatus is fitted to the patients body.

Another object of the present invention is the provision, in one form of artificial respiration apparatus of theabove character, of an improved casing which is adapted to fit over and enclose the frontal portion of the patients thoracic and abdominal regions. In this form of the present invention, provision is made for the reception of the patients ilium and for exposing the tracheotomy area when the apparatus is fitted to the patients body.

Another important object of the present invention is the provision, in another form ofv artificial respiration apparatus of the above character, of an improved casing which is adapted to fit over and enclose the patients abdominal region only. ln this form of the present invention, provision is made for the reception of the patients ilium when the apparatus is fitted to the patients body.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of generally improved artificial respiration apparatus which is light in weight, easy to apply to the patient, and vphysically comfortable to the patient.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings,

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a top plan View of the artificial respiration apparatus according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view thereof withparts broken away to reveal structural details;

2,772,673 Patented Dec. 4, 1956 iCC Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the artificial respiration apparatus;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the apparatus;

Fig. 5 is an end view of the apparatus looking in the direction of arrow 5 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a sectional View taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. l;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a top plan view of a modified form of artificial respiration apparatus;

Fig. l0 is a side elevational view thereof;

Fig. ll is a longitudinal sectional View of the artificial respiration apparatus shown in Figs. 9 and 10;

Fig. l2 is a plan View showing the respirator of Figs. l through 8 fitted to a patient;

Fig. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view thereof;

Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 13 showing the apparatus under partial evacuation, simulating the inspiration phase of respiration;and

Fig. 15 is a View similar to Fig. 13 showing the respira.v tor of Figs. 9 through ll fitted to a patient.

Referring to the drawings and more particularly to Figs. l through 8 thereof, there is shown artificial respiration apparatus 10 comprising a shell shaped casing 12 of a light weight material, said casing being sufficiently rigid to resist deformation under moderate suction, such as Plexiglas and the like.

The casing 12 is adapted to fit over, rest upon, and enclose the frontal portion of the patients thoracic and abdominal regions. Accordingly, the casing 12 of the apparatus 10 is adapted to extend substantially from the patients clavicle to the pubic area when the apparatus is fitted to the patient. The casing 12 is adapted to be sealed to the patients adjacent frontal portions at the marginal edges 14 of said casing and for this purpose there is provided sealing strip means 16 of a soft yielding substance, for example foam rubber, associated with the marginal edges 14 of the casing 12 in a manner now to be described. As best shown in Figs, 2, 6 and 7 the sealing strip means 16 is preferably rectangular in cross-section and may comprise one or more suitable strip lengths, for example sealing strip sections 18 and 20, said section 18 peripherally 'extending around the marginal edges 14 of casing 12 along the side marginal edges 22 and 24 and the upper end marginal edge 26 and said strip 20 being associated with the lower end marginal edge 28 in a manner to be described in detail hereinafter. The sealing strip section 1S has spaced portions 30 in the region of the lower end 31 of the casing 12 spaced inwardly of thekcasing Vas best shown in Figs. 2, 6 and 7, said-spaced portions 30 having thin flexible sheet material 32, for example rubber sheeting, secured thereto and to the marginal edges 22 and 24 of the casing 12 by any suitable means. More particularly7 the sealing strip section 18, upwardly of the spaced portions 30 thereof, are secured directly to the marginal edges 22, 24 and 26 of said casing in lany. suitable manner, as by the vuse of a suitable adhesive. With reference lto Fig. 7, it will be noted that the fiexible sheeting 32, associated with the spaced portions 3f) of the sealing strip `section 18, is U-shaped in crosssection and the spaced legs 34 thereof are secured directly to the opposed faces 36 of said spaced portions 30 in any conventional mannenas by means of a suitable adhesive,

to be described. Securedto each of the side marginal edges 22 and 24 of the "casing 12 exteriorly thereof, is a longitudinally extending reinforcing strip 40, the latter being secured 'to said casing'by means of the screws'42 and 42' which also secure the base portion 38 of the sheeting 32 to the interior of said casing. It will be seen that the screws 42 and 42 will be effective to securelyv clamp the base portion 38 of the sheeting 32 to the casing and a substantially airtight seal will be effected between the marginal edges 22 and 24 of the casing and the spaced portions 30 of the sealing strip 'section 18. A suitable adhesive is preferably applied between sheeting 32 and adjacent surface portion of the casing to insure an airtight seal. The end portions 44 of the sealing strip section 18 are directly secured to the adjacent ends of the marginal edges 22 and 24 of the casing 12 in abutting relation therewith, as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 6.

The sealing strip section 20, associated with the lower marginal edge 28 of the casing 12, has intermediate portions thereof spaced laterally from said lower marginal edge of the casing and has its end portions 46 secured directly to the interior of adjacent portions of the casing in abutting relation with the end portions 44 of the sealing strip section 18. In order to provide a seal between the strip section 26 and the lower marginal edge 28 of the casing 12 there is provided thin sheet material 48 which has portions thereof secured to said strip section and to the marginal edge 28 in sealing relation, the marginal portion 50 of sheeting 48 overlapping the marginal edge 28 of the casing as shown in Fig. 4. With reference to Fig. 5, it will be noted that the sealing strip section 20 at the lower end 3l of the casing 12 arches convexly away from the patients body as indicated at 54 when the apparatus is fitted to the patient and said strip section 20 is so formed as to provide shallow recesses 52 adjacent the securement of said strip section to the casing. The recesses 52 smoothly merge with the convex arch 54, said recesses being adapted for the reception of the patients ilium when the apparatus is positioned on the patients body. It will be understood that the sealing strip section 20 is manipulated and secured, as by an adhesive, to the sheeting 48 and casing 12 so as to provide the convex arch 54 and the associated adjacent shallow recesses 52. From the above, it will be apparent that the sealing strip sections 18 and 2f), integrated with the casing 12 in the aforedescribed manner, provide an effective means for sealing said casing to the patients frontal portion at the marginal edges 22, 24, 26 and 28 of said casing.

The apparatus is provided with novel means to automatically adjust the width of the casing 12 to the patient within predetermined limits. To this end there is provided a leaf spring 56 which is anchored at one end 60 to a side portion S8 of the casing, interiorly thereof, the opposite end 62 of said spring being free. The casing 12 is substantially longitudinally symmetrical `and there is provided a spring 56 at each side of said casing. Each of the springs 56 is structurally identical and is integrated with the casing 12 in a structurally identical manner wherein only one of such springs and its integration with said casing will be described in detail. The spaced strip portions 30 and the sheeting 32 associated therewith define a pair of spaced pockets P which extend between said strip portions and adjacent marginal portions of the casing, said pockets P having secured therein the springs 56. With reference to Fig. 6, it will be noted that the spring 56 has one face 64 in abutting relation with the face 66 of the portion 3f) of the strip section 18 whereby it will be apparent that the springs 56 are adapted to resiliently urge the strip portions 30 laterally inwardly towards each other whereby to lightly clamp said strip portions 30 to associated portions of the patients body when the apparatus 10 is fitted to the patients body. Accordingly, the fixed springs 56 positioned in pockets P in association with the spaced strip portions 30 constitute means at the end 31 of the casing 12 to automatically adjust the width thereof to the patient within predetermined limits. The springs 56 are anchored to casing 12 by means of the screws 42, previously referred to, and said springs are adapted to resiliently yield towards side portions of said casing whereby to achieve a light clamping action between said springs and the patient.

n order to provide for exposition of the tracheotomy area when the apparatus 1G is fitted to the patients body, the upper end 70 of the casing has an intermediate portion 72 arching concavely towards the lower end 31 of the casing. rThe portion of the sealing strip section 18 secured to the marginal edge 26 of the casing will conform to the portion 72 and also arch concavely towards the end 3l of the casing whereby it will be apparent that when the apparatus 1@ is fitted to the patient the tracheotomy area will be uncovered for medical treatment with marginal edge portions 26 of said casing resting on the patients clavicle. Thus the apparatus 10 is adapted to fit over and enclose the frontal portion of the patients thoracic and abdominal regions and portions of the upper marginal edge 26 of the casing 12 are adapted to rest on the patients clavicle with the lower marginal edge 28 extending to the patients pubic area, as aforedescribed above.

ln order to relieve the patient of the full weight of the apparatus, in the normal use of the apparatus, there is provided means 74 at opposite sides of the lower end of the apparatus which is adjustable relative to the casing 12. In the normal use of the apparatus the patient will be in a reclining position on a support, such as a bed, and the means 74, about to be described, is adapted to provide for most of the weight of the apparatus being borne by the bed or other support. The support means 74 comprises a pair of spaced apertured fittings 76 which are secured in fixed relation to portions of the casing 12, exteriorly thereof (see Fig. 8). More particularly, the fittings 76 are U-shaped and are secured in fixed relation to marginal edges of the casing 12 in a manner to be described hereinafter. Operatively associated with each fitting 76 is a vertically extending rod member 78 which is adapted to be axially adjusted and secured in adjusted position relative to its associated fitting 76. Each fitting 76 comprises a pair of laterally spaced arms 8@ which are provided with aligned apertures 82 which are adapted for the reception of the rod member 78, said apertures 82 being dimensioned complementary to said rod member. Rod member 78 is provided with vertically spaced peripherally extending grooves 84 which are adapted to cooperate with portions of the thin leaf spring 86, the latter having one end 88 in a fixed position relative to the casing 12 and fitting 76. The opposite end 90 of the thin spring 86 is free and is biased towards the casing, said spring being apertured at 92 intermediate its ends. The aperture 92 is somewhat elongated and is adapted for the reception of the rod member 78, the grooves 84 of said rod member being adapted to cooperate with marginal portion 93 of said spring adjacent the aperture 92 whereby the biasing of the spring towards the casing is effective to secure said rod member in its adjusted axial position relative to its associated fitting 76. It will be understood that there is provided a rod member 78 at each side of the end 31 of the casing 12 and that said rod member is adapted to be axially moved, for example from the solid line position 78 to the dotted line position 78, as shown in Fig. 8. The rod member 78 may be readily axially repositioned by depressing the free end 90 of the spring 86 sufficiently to permit said rod member to clear the marginal portions 93 adjacent the aperture 92 of said spring. Thus the peripherally extending grooves 84 and the marginal edge portion 93 associated with the aperture 92 of the spring 86 provide an eective means for securing said rod member in its axially adjusted position relative to the fitting 76. Each of the rod members 78 is preferably provided at its lower end with a spherical fitting 94 for engagement with associated portions of a supporting surface. The end 38 of the spring 86 is secured in abutting relation with the exteriorly positioned reinforcing strip 40 and the base 96 ofthe fitting 76 is secured in abutting relation with the end 88 of the spring 36, said springI and saidy iitting being secured in said relative positioning by means of the screws 42, as best shown in Fig. 8. Accordingly, the screws 42 extend through aligned apertures in the casing 12, reinforcing strip 40, and spring 86, into tapped holes v43 of fitting 76, said screws being effective to secure said parts in position. Although a specific structural arrangement has been shown and described' for securing the fitting 76 and its associated spring 86 to the casing 12, it will be understood that any other suitable arrangement and securing means may be utilized for the specified purpose.

The casing 12 is provided with a suitable suction duct 100 which is in communication with the interior 11 of the casing and is also provided with a suitable gage 102 for registering the pressure inside the casing, said gage being preferably calibrated in centimeters of water.

In order to provide for the securement of the apparatus to the patient when the latter is in an upright position, the apparatus 10 has provision for the removable attachment thereto of a pair of straps 104, one of which is shown in Fig. 7. The straps 104 when secured to the apparatus 10 are laterally spaced and extend transversely of the apparatus. Pairs of spaced male fastener elements 106 are secured to one of the reinforcing strips d0 at one side of the casing 12 and correspondingly spaced securing brackets 108 are secured to the opposite reinforcing strip 40. Accordingly, each strap 104 is adapted to be associated with a pair of fastener elements 106 and its transversely aligned securing bracket 103. One end 110 of the strap 104 is provided with a pair of spaced female fastener elements 112 and the opposite end 114 of said strap is adapted to be interengaged with the securing bracket 108, in a manner to be described hereinafter. The fastener elements 106 and 112 are preferably of the snap type and it will -be'understood that any suitable releasable attachment means may be utilized for securing straps 104 to the casing. The securing bracket 108 comprises a generally U-shaped frame 116 which has the base portion 118 thereof secured to the reinforcing strip in any conventional manner, as by means of the screws 42 which extend through aligned apertures in the casing 12, strip 40, and the base 118 of said frame. Integral with the base 118 and extending therefrom in laterally spaced relation are a pair of arms 120 which are apertured at 122, said apertures being longitudinally aligned and adapted for the'reception of the pin membersv 124 extending from the knurled retainer element 126. The retainer element 126 is substantially cylindrical and thev pin members 124 are eccentrically mounted, in alignment, relative to the axis of rotation of said retainer element. Defined between the base 118 of the frame 116 and surface portions of the retainer element 106 is an elongated space 12S which is adapted for the reception of the free end portion 114 of the strap 104. With a patient in an upright position, the end 110 of the strap 104 is secured to the casing 12 by the interengagement of the fastener elements 106 and 112 and the free end 114 of said strap is threaded through the elongated opening 128 and suficiently tensioned to effect aproper lit of the apparatus to the patient, the tensioning of the strap 104 being effective to secure the free end 114 thereof between the base 118 of the frame 116 and adjacent surface portions of the retainer element 126. As previously noted, the element 126 is eccentrically mounted in the frame 116 whereby the tensioning of the strap 104 will be elfective to form a firm securement between the end 114 thereof and the bracket 108. In the normal use of the apparatus with the patient in a reclining position, the straps 104 will be detached from the casing 12, said straps being attachedto thecasing in the above described mal respiration. Thus, the apparatusl() is sealed to el manner only when the patient is in an" other finiti 'i'l clining position. n l With reference to Figs. 9, l0 andv 1l there' isrsli' modified form of artificial respiration apparatus A is adapted to lit over and enclose the' patients abrio' region only, the lower end 31 of said apparat'u adapted to extend to the patients pubic area asin tlrencasfiL of apparatus 10. The lower end 31 of the casing 12'v is'r structurally similar to the lower end 31 of the' sing and consequently the sealing means associated Wit end 31 of the apparatus 10 is provided with shallow; rc'- cesses similar to the recesses 52 of the apparatus 10 shown in Fig. 5. Thus, it will be seen that thelo" 31 of the apparatus 10 is structurally similar to, spending portion of the apparatus 10.` Thevseali associated with the upper end 70 of the casing: 12 stantially identical with the sealing means at'v the end 31 of the apparatus except that no pvovision isirn for the reception of the patients ilium, as will be' re apparent. It will be understood lthat the transversel tending sealing strip portion 130 of the apparatus A:1 end 70 thereof, will convexly arch towards the'pl En@ and be substantially complementary to adjacent po of the patients body wall when the apparatus istte y the patient. The apparatus 10 isy preferably provided-'Wit similar spring means for automatically adjustingl width thereof to the patient as in apparatus 10 and p vided with similar rod members 78` and its. associa ,g structure as in apparatus 10, except that in'.apparati]`'10i there are provided spaced pairs of rod membersflrsta't 'o ends of the casing 12'. Accordingly, casing 12' w1 provided with four rod members 7Svwhich are adjus mounted relative to the casing 12 whereby to relieve tl patient of most of the weight of the apparatus 10',` casing 12' will be substantially longitudinallyand lat' symmetrical and is formed structurally similar tocas 12 except in the aforenoted respects. It will also i served that the casing 12 has provision for the re securement thereto of straps 1043', as ini the previous scribed embodiment, whereby theaparatus 10 nia fitted to the patient with the latter being in an uprigh sition. Thus the characteristic feature of apparat n that it encloses the patients abdominal region `oiil l"wh by it is substantially shorter and more compact" liax- Y apparatus 10.

With reference to Figs. l2 through 1'4, there isv the apparatus 10 fitted to a patient. It willb'noten the casing 12 tits over and encloses the paftients tho and abdominal regions A and B, respectively, and tracheotomy area C will remain exposed due to s low concave arch 72 at the end 70 of they appara si Marginal edge portions 73, of the upper end 70 oft si ing adjacent the conc-ave arch 72, restr on the-p 'v clavicle D. The patients ilium E will'be received recesses 52 of the casing at the end 31 thereof, a d*tli sealing means aforedescribed in' detail will be effective to seal the casing 12 to the patients frontalbody at the marginal edges of the casing. Thusvthe'l4 inter rf 11 of the casing 12, when the latteris fitted to the' p" entf' in the above described manner, will be substantially from the atmosphere. With reference'to'Figlv 14",jit`\v Vr be noted that when moderatel suction is appli'dthrougl the duct 100, which communicates withthe'iiit" of the casing, to the patients thoracic'and" abdin regions A and B, respectively, the patients bodys F and diaphragm G will be'displaced upwardlytov'v'a the casing 12 whereby the inspiration phase ofresprat will be simulated. Comparison betweenA Figs'X lSafd will show the change in positioning of the'body wallifF; diaphragm G and related organsfwhen the'interiollv'lof* casing 12 is partially evacuated. It willbeeunderstodt that there will be an alternation between partial'ievacuwl tion and normal pressure of theair in the interiorlljof the casing at a rate which will successfully-vsirnulteor` avvaefrs frontal portion only of the patients torso and is so supported at its lower end by means of the rod members 78 that much of the weight rests upon the bed or other supporting surface so that skin irritation and discomfort to the patient is substantially eliminated. lt will be understood that the apparatus 10 may be constructed in a range of sizes, each size being adapted to be adjustable to a range of body sizes. The springs 56 will provide an effective adjustable seal of the strip portions 30 to the patient within the design limits of the particular apparatus 10.

With reference to Fig. l5, it will be seen that the apparatus 10 is fitted to the patient in a similar manner as aparatus 10 except that the casing 12 is adapted to fit over and enclose the patients abdominal region B only. Accordingly the lower end 31 of the apparatus 10 is fitted Ytothe patient in a similar manner as apparatus le?, the upper end 70 of the apparatus itl resting on the patients body wall F in the region of the upper part g of the diaphragm G. The apparatus l is therefore substantially' shorter and more compact then the apparatus and has been found to be similarly effective to produce artificial respiration. Accordingly, the apparatus 10 which encloses the patients abdominal region B only will be effective to displace the patients body wall F and diaphragm G upwardly into the casing 12' to simulate the inspiration phase of respiration. In Figs. l2 through l5, H indicates the stomach, I indicates the liver, I indicates the lungs, and K indicates the kidney wherein the relative position of these organs in the rest and inspiration phase of respiration will be apparent from an inspection of said figures.4 The apparatus 10' will produce artificial respiration in an extremely effective manner leaving the thoracic and tracheotomy areas exposed for physical treatment and will provide extreme physical comfort for the patient. In the use of the respiration apparatus aforedescribed perspiration is minimized since the sealing means barely maintains contact with the body wall F to thereby permit they partial exhausting of air from the casing during the exhalng portion of the respiratory cycle. The aforedescribed apparatus is light in weight, easy to apply to the patient, and physically comfortable to the patient. The casings 12 above-described cover only the frontal section of the body leaving the rest of the body uncovered for therapeutic treatment. Once a proper size casing is selected only one adjustment is necessary for fitting the casing to the patient, that is the adjustment of the rod members 78 to relieve the patient of most of the Weight ofthe apparatus.

.nWhilc I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that various changes may be made in the present invention without departing from the underlying idea of principles of the invention within the scope of the appended claims.

.y Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

l. ,Apparatus for producing articial respiration comprising acasing adapted to iit over and enclose at least the frontal portion of the patients abdominal region7 said casing having a suction duct in communication with the interior thereof, means for supporting said casing at its lower end whereby -to relieve the patient of the full weight of-theapparatus, means for sealing said casing to the patients frontal portion at the marginal edges of the former, and means at the lower end of said casing to automatically adjust-the Width thereof to the patient, said last mentioned means comprising a resilient member associated with a side portion of said casing and said sealing means, said member being in operative relation with said sealing means and adapted to resiliently urge adjacent portions thereof laterally inwardly whereby to lightly clamp said sealing means to associated portions of the patients body when said apparatus is iitted to the patients body.

' 2. Apparatus for producing artificial respiration comprising a casing adapted to fit over and enclose at least the frontal portion of the patients abdominal region, said casing having Ia suction duct in communication with the interior thereof, means for supporting said casing at its lower end whereby to relieve the patient of the full Weight of the apparatus, means for sealing said casing to the patients frontal portion at the marginal edges of the former, and means at the lower end of said casing to automatically adjust the width thereof to the patient, said last mentioned means comprising a pair of laterally spaced resilient members, each member being associated with a side portion of said casing and portions of said sealing means, said members being in operative relation with said sealing means and adapted to resiliently urge adjacent portions thereof laterally inwardly towards each other whereby to lightly clamp said sealing means to associated portions of the patients body when said apparatus is fitted to the patients body.

3. Apparatus for producing artificial respiration comprising a casing adapted to fit over and enclose at least the frontal portion of the patients abdominal region, said casing having a suction duct in communication with the interior thereof, means for supporting said casing at its lower end whereby to relieve the patient of the full weight of the apparatus, means for sealing said casing to the patients frontal portion Iat the marginal edges of the former, and means at the lower end of said casing to automatically adjust the width thereof to the patient, said last mentioned means comprising a pair of laterally spaced resilient members, each member being anchored at one end to a side portion of said casing and being in abutting relation with portions of said sealing means, said members being adapted to resiliently urge said portions of said sealing means laterally inwardly towards each other.

4. Apparatus for producing artificial respiration comprising a casing adapted to fit over and enclose at least the frontal portion of the patients abdominal region, said casing having a suction duct in communication with the interior thereof, means for supporting said casing at its lower end whereby to relieve the patient of the full weight of the apparatus, means for sealing Asaid casing to the patients frontal portion at the marginal edges of the former, and means at the lower end of said casing to automatically adjust the width thereof to the patient, said last mentioned means comprising a pair of laterally spaced leaf springs, each of the latter being anchored at one end to a side portion of said casing and being in abutting relation with portions of said sealing means, said members extending longitudinally of said side portions and being adapted to resiliently urge said portions of said sealing means laterally inwardly towards each other whereby to lightly clamp said sealing means to associated portions of the patients body when said apparatus is fitted to the patients body.

5. Apparatus for producing artiiicial respiration comprising a casing adapted to fit over andenclose at least the frontal portion of the patients abdominal region, said casing having a suction duct in communication with the interior thereof, means for supporting said casing at its lower end whereby to relieve the patient of the full weight of the apparatus, means for seal-ing said casing to the patients frontal portion at the marginal edges of the former, and means at the lower end ofsaid casing to automatically adjust the width thereof to the patient, said last mentioned means comprising a pair of laterally spaced longitudinally extending leaf springs, each of the latter being anchored at one end to a side portion of said casing interiorly thereof, the opposite end of said springs being free, each of said springs having face portions thereof in abutting relation with the portions of said sealing means, said members being adapted to resiliently urge said portions of said sealing means laterally inwardly towards each other whereby to lightly clamp said sealing means to associated portions of the patients body when said apparatus is fitted to the patients body.

6. Apparatus for producing artificial respiration comi Si.

arrastra prising a casing adapted to fit over and enclose at least the frontal portion of the patients abdominal region, `said casing having a suction duct in communication' with the interior thereof, means for supporting said casing at its lower end whereby to relieve the patient of the full weight of the apparatus, means for sealing said casing to the patients frontal portion at the marginal edges of the former, said means comprising a. sealing strip of a soft yielding substance associated with the marginal edges of said casing, said strip having spaced portions thereof at the lower end portions of said casing spaced inwardly of the latter, said strip portions having thin sheet material secured thereto and to marginal edges of said casing to define a pair of spaced pockets between saidy strip portions and adjacent portions of said casing, and means at the lower end of said casing to automatically adjust the width thereof to the patient, said last mentioned means comprising a pair of laterally spaced leaf springs, each of the latter being disposed in one of said pockets and anchored at one end to a side portion of said casing interiorly thereof, each of said springs having face portions thereof in abutting relation with said spaced portions of said strip, said springs being adapted to'resiliently urge said strip portions laterally inwardly towards each other whereby to lightly clamp said sealing means to associated portions of the patients body when said apparatus is fitted to the patients body.

7. Apparatus for producing artificial respiration cornprising a casing adapted to fit over and enclose at least the frontal portion of the patients abdominal region, said casing having a suction duct in communication with the interior thereof, means for sealing said casing to the patients frontal portion at the marginal edges of the former, means at the lower end of said casing to automatically adjust the width thereof to the patient, and means for supporting said casing at its lower end whereby to relieve the patient of the full weight of the apparatus, said last mentioned means comprising a pair of spaced apertured fittings, one of the latter being secured to one side portion of said casing at the lower end thereof and the other of said fittings being secured to an opposite side portion of said casing at the same end thereof, a vertically extending rod member adapted to be received in each of said apertured fittings', and a provision for adjusting the axial position of said rod member relative to its associated fitting, said provision comprising a resilient member having one end in fixed relation to said casing, the opposite end thereof being free, said resilient member being biased in one direction and apertured intermediate its length for the reception o-f said rod member, the latter being secured in its adjusted position by said resilient member.

8. Apparatus for producing artificial respiration'comprising a casing adapted to fit over and enclose at least the frontal portion of the patients abdominalregion, said casing having a suction duct in communication with the interior thereof, means for sealing said casing to the patients frontal portion at the marginal edges of the former, means at the lower end of said casing to automatically adjust the width thereof to the-patient, and means for supporting said casing at its lower end whereby to relieve the patient of the full weight oflthe apparatus, said last menti-onedmeans comprisingya pair of spaced apertured fittings, one of the ylatter being' secured to one side portion of said casing at'the llower end thereof and the other vof said fittings being securedto an opposite side po-rtion of said casingat '.thesam'eend thereof, a vertically extending krod member adapted to be received in each of said apertured fittings, saidrod member having vertically spaced grooves, and a provision forradjus'ting the axial position of said rod member relative to its associated fitting, said provision comprising a resilient member having one end in fixed'relation to Vsaid casing, the opposite -end thereof being free, said resilient member being. apertured `rintermediate its length for'th'e reception 10 of said rod member and biased in one direction, said grooves being adapted to cooperate with marginal portions adjacent said aperture of said resilient member where. by the biasing of the latter is effective to secure said rod member in its adjusted position.

9. Apparatus for producing artificial respiration comprising a casing adapted to fit over and enclose at least the frontal portion of the patients abdominal region, said casing having a suction duct in communication with the interior thereof, means for sealing said casing to the patients frontal portion at the marginal edges of the former, means at the lower end of said casing to automatically adjust the width thereof to the patient, and means for supporting said casing at its lower end whereby to relieve the patient of the full weight of the apparatus, said last mentioned means comprising a pair of spaced apertured fittings, one of the latter being secured to one side portion of said casing at the lower end thereof and the other of said fittings being secured to an opposite side portion of said casing at the same end thereof, a vertically extending rod member adapted to be received in each of said apertured fittings, said rod member having vertically spaced peripherally extending grooves a thin leaf spring associated with each of said ttings and positioned exteriorly of said casing, said spring having one end in fixed relation relative to said casing the opposite end thereof being free and biased .towards said casing, said spring being apertured intermediate its length for the reception of said rod member, said grooves being adapted to cooperate with marginal portions of said spring adjacent said aperture whereby the biasing of said spring is effectivel to secure said rod member in its adjusted axial position relative to its associated fitting.

l0. Apparatus for producing artificial respiration comprising a casing adapted to fit over and enclose at least the frontal portion of the patients abdominal region, said casing having a suction duct in communication with the interior thereof, means for supporting said casing at its lower end whereby to relieve the patient of the full weight of the apparatus, and means for sealing said casing .to the patients frontal portion at the marginal edges of the former, said last mentioned means comprising a sealing strip of a soft yielding substance associated with the lower marginal edge of said casing, said strip having intermediate portions thereof .spaced laterally frorn said lower edge of said casing, said strip having thin sheet material secured thereto and to said lower edge of said casing whereby said sealing means forms a substantially air tight seal when said casing rests upon the patients body.

l1. Apparatus for producing artificial respiration comprising a casing adapted to fit over and enclose at least the frontal portion of the patients abdominal region, said casing having a suction duct in communication with the interior thereof, means for supporting said casing at its lower end whereby to relieve the patient of the full weight of the apparatus, and means for sealing said casing to the patients frontal portion at the marginal edges of the former, said last mentioned means comprising a sealing strip of a soft yielding substance associated with the lower marginal edge of said casing, said strip having intermediate portions thereof spaced laterally from said lower marginal edge of said casing and arching convexly away from the patients body, said str-ip having recesses at end portions thereof .smoothly merging with said convex arch, thin sheet material secured to said strip and to lower marginal edge portions' of said casing whereby said sealing mean forms a subtantially air tight seal when said casing rests upon the patients body, said recesses being adapted for the reception of the patients ilium when said casing is positioned on the patients body.

l2. Apparatus for producing artificial respiration comprising a casing adapted to t over and enclose at least the frontal portion of the patients abdominal region, said casing having a suction duct in communication with the interior thereof, means for supporting said casing at its lower end whereby to relieve the patient of the full weight of the apparatus, and means for sealing said casing to the patients frontal portion at the marginal edges of the former, said last mentioned means comprising a sealing strip of a soft yielding substance associated with the lower marginal edge of said casing, said strip having intermediate portions thereof spaced laterally from said lower edge of said casing, said strip having thin sheet material secured thereto and to said lower edge of said casing whereby said sealing means forms a substantially air tight seal when said casing rests upon the patients body, said strip arching convexly away from the patients body and having recesses at end portions thereof smoothly merging with said convex arch, said recesses being adapted for the reception of the patients ilium when said casing is positioned on the patients body.

13. Apparatus for producing artificial respiration comprising a casing adapted to fit over and enclose at least the frontal portion of the patients abdominal region, said casing having a suction duct in communication with the interior thereof, means for supporting said casing at its lower end whereby to relieve the patient of the full weight of the apparatus, and means for sealing said casing to the patients frontal portion at the marginal edges of the former, said last mentioned means comprising a sealing strip of a soft yielding substance associated with the lower marginaledge of said casing and secured to side marginal edge portions thereof said strip having intermediate portions thereof spaced laterally from said lower marginal edge of said casing and arching convexly away from the patients body, said strip having shallow recesses adjacent the securement thereof to said casing, said recesses smoothly merging with said convex arch, thin sheet material secured to said strip and to lower marginal edge portions of said casing whereby said sealing means forms a substantially air tight seal when said CasinU rests upon the patients body, said recesses being adapted for the reception of the patients ilium when said casing is positioned on the patients body.

14. Apparatus for producing artificial respiration cornprising a casing adapted to fit over and enclose the frontal portion of the patients thoracic and abdominal regions, said casing having laterally spaced free side marginal edges which are adapted to rest upon said frontal portion, the upper end of said casing having an intermediate portion thereof arching concavely towards the lower end of said casing whereby the tracheotomy area is uncovered when said apparatus is fitted to the patients body, and means for sealing said casing to the patients frontal portion at the marginal edges of the former, said casing having a suction duct in communication with the interior thereof whereby when moderate suction is applied through said duct to the patients thoracic and abdominal regions the patients body wall and diaphragm will be displaced upwardly into said casing, said casing having independently adjustable means at opposite sides of said lower end for supporting the latter whereby to relieve the patient of the full weight of the apparatus.

l5. Apparatus for producing artificial respiration cornprising a easing adapted to fit over and enclose the frontal portion of thc patients thoracic and abdominal regions. the upper end of said casing having an intermediate portion thereof arching concavely towards the lower end of said casing whereby the tracheotomy area is uncovered when said apparatus is fitted to the patients body, and means for sealing said casing to the patients frontal portion at the marginal edges of the former, said casing having a suction duct in communication with the interior thereof whereby when moderate suction is applied through said duct to the patients thoracic and abdominal regions the patients body wall and diaphragm will be displaced upwardly into said casing, said casing having means at its lower end for automatically adjusting the width thereof to the patient.

16. Apparatus for producing artificial respiration cornprising a casing adapted to fit over and enclose the frontal portion of the patients thoracic and abdominal regions, said casing extending substantially from the patients clavicle to the pubic area, and means for sealing said casing to the patients frontal portion at the marginal edges of the former, said last mentioned means comprising a sealing strip of a soft yielding substance associated with the lower marginal edge of said casing, said strip having intermediate portions thereof spaced laterally from said lower marginal edge of said casing, thin sheet material secured to said strip and to said lower marginal edge of said casing whereby said sealing means forms a substantially air tight seal when said casing rests upon the patients body.

17. Apparatus for producing artificial respiration comprising a casing adapted to fit over and enclose the frontal portion of the patients thoracic and abdominal regions, said casing extending substantially from the patients clavicle to the pubic area, and means for sealing said casing to the patients frontal portion at the marginal edges of the former, said last mentioned means comprising a sealing strip of a soft yielding substance associated with the lower marginal edge of said casing, said strip having intermediate portions thereof spaced laterally from said lower marginal edge of said casing and arching convexly away from the patients body, said strip having recesses at end portions thereof smoothly merging with said convex arch, thin sheet material secured to said strip and to lower marginal edge portions of said casing whereby said sealing means forms a substantially air tight seal when said casing rests upon the patients body, said recesses being adapted for the reception of the patienfs ilium when said casing is positioned on the patients body.

1S. Apparatus for producing articial respiration comprising a casing adapted to fit over and enclose the frontal portion of the patients thoracic and abdominal regions, said casing extending substantially from the patients clavicle to the pubic area, and means for sealing said casing to the patients frontal portion at the marginal edges of the former, said last mentioned means comprising a sealing strip of a soft yielding substance associated with the lower marginal edge of said casing, said strip having intermediate portions thereof spaced laterally from said lower marginal edge of said casing and arching convexly away from the patients body, said strip having recesses at end portions thereof smoothly merging with said convex arch, thin sheet material secured to said strip and to lower marginal edge portions of said casing whereby said sealing means forms a substantially air tight seal when said casing rests upon the patients body, said recesses being adapted for the reception of the patients ilium when said casing is positioned on the patients body and means for sealing said casing `to the patients frontal portion at the marginal edges of the former, said casing having a suction duct in communication with the interior thereof whereby when moderate suction is applied through said duct to the patients thoracic and abdominal regions the patients body wall and diaphragm will be displaced upwardly into said casing.

19. Apparatus for producing articial respiration cornprising a casing adapted to lit over and enclose the frontal portion of the patients thoracic and abdominal regions, said casing extending substantially from the patients clavicle to the pubic area, and means for sealing said casing to the patients frontal portion at the marginal edges of the former, said last mentioned means comprising a. sealing strip of a soft yielding substance associated with the lower marginal edge of said casing, said strip having intermediate portions thereof spaced laterally from said lower marginal edge of said casing and arching convexlyl away from the patients body, said strip having recesses at end portions thereof smoothly merging with said convex arch, thin sheetmaterial secured to said strip and to lower marginal edge portions of said casing whereby said sealing means forms a substantially air tight seal when said casing rests upon the patients body, said recesses being adapted for the reception of the patients ilium when said casing is positioned on the patients body, the upper end of said casing having an intermediate portion thereof provided with a shallow concave arch extending towards the lower end of said casing whereby the tracheotomy area is uncovered when said apparatus is fitted to the patients body, marginal portions of the upper end of said casing adjacent said concave arch being adapted to rest on the patients clavicle.

20. Apparatus for producing artificiial respiration cornprising a casing adapted to fit over and enclose the frontal portion of the patients thoracic and abdominal regions, said casing extending substantially from the patients clavicle to the pubic area, and means for sealing said casing to the patients frontal portion at the marginal edges of the former, said last mentioned means comprising a sealing strip of a soft yielding substance associated with the lower marginal edge of said casing, said strip having intermediate portions thereof spaced laterally from said lower marginal edge of said casing and arching convexly away from the patients body, said strip having recesses at end portions thereof smoothly merging with said convex arch, thin sheet material secured to said strip and to lower marginal edge portions of said casing whereby said sealing means forms a substantially air tight seal when said casing rests upon the patients body, said recesses being adapted for the reception of the patients ilium when said casing is positioned on the patients body, the upper end of said casing having an intermediate portion thereof provided with a shallow concave arch extending towards the lower end of said casing whereby the tracheotomy area is uncovered when said apparatus is fitted to the patients body, marginal portions of the upper end of said casing adjacent said concave arch being adapted to rest on the patients clavicle, said casing having a suction duct in communication with the interior thereof whereby when moderate suction is applied through said duct to the patients thoracic and abdominal regions the patients body wall and diaphragm will be displaced upwardly into said casing.

2l. Apparatus for producing artificial respiration comprising a casing adapted to fit over and enclose the patients abdominal region only, and means for sealing said casing to the patients frontal portion at the marginal edges of the former, said means comprising a sealing strip of a soft yielding substance associated with the lower marginal edge of said casing, said strip having intermediate portions thereof spaced laterally from said lower marginal edge of said casing, thin sheet material secured to said strip and to said lower marginal edge of said casing whereby said sealing means forms a substantially airtight seal when said casing rests upon the patients body.

22. Apparatus for producing artificial respiration cornprising a casing adapted to fit over an enclose the patients abdominal region only, said casing being substantially symmetrical about its longitudinal and lateral axes, said casing having a suction duct communicating with the interior thereof and being sufficiently rigid to resist deformation under moderate suction applied through said duct to the interior of said casing, and means for sealing said casing to the patients frontal portion at the marginal edges of the former, said means comprising a sealing strip of a soft yielding substance associated with the upper and lower marginal edges of said casing, respectively, said strips having intermediate portions thereof spaced laterally from said upper and lower marginal edges of said casing, respectively, thin sheet material secured to said strips and to said upper and lower marginal edges of said casing, respectively, whereby said sealing means forms a substantially airtight seal when said casing rests upon the patients body.

23. Apparatus for producing artificial respiration com- 14 prising a casing adapted to fit over and enclose the patients abdominal region only, said casing being substantially symmetrical about its longitudinal and lateral axes, said casing having a suction duct communicating with the interior thereof and being sufficiently rigid to resist deformation under moderate suction applied through said duct to the interior of said casing, and means for sealing said casing to the patients frontal portion at the marginal edges of the former, said means comprising a sealing strip of a soft yielding substance associated with the upper and 'lower marginal edges of said casing, respectively, said strips having intermediate portions thereof spaced laterally from said upper and lower marginal edges of said casing, respectively, thin sheet material secured to said strips and to said upper and lower marginal edges of said casing, respectively, whereby said sealing means forms a substantially airtight seal when said casing rests upon the patients body, said strip associated with the lower marginal edge of said casing having said intermediate portions thereof arching convexly away from the patients body, said last mentioned strip having recesses at end portions thereof smoothly merging with said convex arch, said recesses being adapted for the reception of the patients ilium when said casing is positioned on the patients body.

24. Apparatus for producing artificial respiration comprising a casing adapted to fit over and enclose the patients abdominal region only, said casing being substantially symmetrical about its longitudinal and lateral axes, said casing having a suction duct communication with the interior thereof and being sufficiently rigid to resist deformation under moderate suction applied through said duct to the interior of said casing, and means for sealing said casing to the patients frontal portion at the marginal edges of the former, ysaid means comprising a sealing st-rip of a soft yielding substance associated with the upper and lower marginal edges of said casing, respectively, and said strips having intermediate portions thereof spaced laterally from said upper and lower marginal edges of said casing, respectively, thin sheet material secured to said strips and to 'said upper an-d lower marginal edges of said casing, respectively, whereby said sealing means forms a substantially airtight seal when said casing rests upon the patients body, said strip associated with the lowe-r marginal edge of said casing having said intermediate portions thereof arching convexly aw-ay from the patients body, said last mentioned strip having recesses at end portions thereof smoothly merging with said convex arch, said recesses being adapted for the reception of the patients ilium when said casing is positioned on Ithe patients body, and adjustable means for supporting said casing at its upper and lower ends whereby to relieve the patient of the full weight of the apparatus.

25. Apparatus for producing articial respiration comprising a casing adapted to fit over and enclose the patients abdominal region only, sa-id casing having a suction duct communicating with the interior thereof and being sufliciently rigid to resist deformation under moderate suction -applied through said duct to the inte-rior of said casing, means for sealing said casing to the patients frontal portion at the marginal edges of the former, and means for supporting 4the lower end portion of said casing whereby to relieve t-he patient of the full weight of the apparatus, said support means comprising a pair of spaced apertured fittings, one of the latter being secured to one side portion of said casing at the lower end thereof and the other of said fittings being secu-red to an opposite side portion of said casing at the same end thereof, a vertically extending rod member adapted to be received in each of said apertured fittings, and a provision for adjusting the axial position of said rod member relative to its associated fitting.

26. Apparatus for producing artificial respiration, comprising a casing adapted to fit over and enclose frontal portions of the patients abdominal region only, said easing References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Shoolman Ian. 7, 1941 Kraft June 30, 1942 McCollam J an. 26, 1943 Church Oct. 17, 1944 Scanlan Aug. 28, 1945 Huxley Apr. 5, 1949 Wilm Dec. 6, 1949 

